The Hindu : National : No electoral ties with Congress, says Mamata

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No electoral ties with Congress, says Mamata

Special Correspondent

Reiterates party’s decision to call bandh on April 21

KOLKATA: Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee cautioned party leaders here on Tuesday against coming to any electoral understanding in next month’s panchayat elections in the State with the Congress – a party she described as the “ ‘A’ team” of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

She also reiterated her party’s decision to call a 12-hour State-wide bandh in West Bengal on April 21 to protest against the rise in prices of essential commodities.

The Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) with whom the Trinamool Congress recently forged an alliance for a joint movement against the ruling Left Front in the State is also behind the bandh call.

“We are not in favour of bandhs but there is need to provide some tonic through democratic means to the government responsible for the rise in prices,” Ms. Banerjee said. Her party has held both the Centre and the State Government for the spiralling prices and for failing to come down on hoarders and black-marketers in essential items.

She was critical of the manner in which the State government decided on the dates of the panchayat elections without providing her party any “schedule” of the polls earlier even though filing of nominations by candidates is to begin from Wednesday.

“It is an illegal and un-constitutional decision aimed at inconveniencing the people. We are also protesting against the three-phase elections that is happening in the State for the first time,” Ms. Banerjee said.

The rural elections are to be held on May 11, 14 and 18.

“How much more do I have to point out that this government is anti-democratic and has no moral right to stay in power?” she asked.

“I challenge the State government to let those wanting to contest to do so as well as ensuring that people can cast their votes freely,” Ms. Banerjee said. “We need a congenial situation for the elections but we have our apprehensions” she added.

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